Dallas @ Boston picks

Dereck Lively II has committed 2.5 personal fouls per game when playing away from home this year, placing him in the 85th percentile -- among the NBA's highest-fouling. The 2nd-slowest pace-of-play team in the NBA over the last 20 games has been the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks will likely suffer a reduction in possessions in this game from sharing the court with the 2nd-least up-tempo tempo offense in the league over the last 25 games (the Boston Celtics). The Dallas Mavericks rank as the 6th-worst offensive rebounding offense in the league away from their home court this year (offensive rebounds maintain possession, and a lack of them can therefore eliminate extra opportunities for scoring and assists). Dereck Lively II stands to experience a decrease in effectiveness in all facets of the game as a result of playing on the visting team in this contest.

The 2nd-slowest pace-of-play team in the NBA over the last 20 games has been the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks will likely suffer a reduction in possessions in this game from sharing the court with the 2nd-least up-tempo tempo offense in the league over the last 25 games (the Boston Celtics). The Dallas Mavericks rank as the 6th-worst offensive rebounding offense in the league away from their home court this year (offensive rebounds maintain possession, and a lack of them can therefore eliminate extra opportunities for scoring and assists). Luka Doncic has attempted a measly 8.3 foul shots per game this season, a sizeable decrease from his 10.5 rate last season. This year, the other team's starting PGs have attempted 2.3 foul shots per game (lowest in the league) vs. the Celtics, facing an uphill battle to get to the free-throw line.

Kyrie Irving has tallied 3.8 defensive rebounds per game this year, putting him among the best players in the league in this category: 80th percentile. Out of all players in the NBA, Kyrie Irving comes in at the 95th percentile for playing time, tallying a colossal 35.4 minutes per game on the road this year.

Derrick White has put up 5.3 assists per game this year at home, putting him among the best in the NBA by this metric recently: 90th percentile. Derrick White has averaged 37.6 minutes per game over the last 5 games, 4.5 higher than he's averaged in all games this year. Derrick White will have the benefit of the home court advantage in this game. Playing in your home stadium tends to raise stat production in all stat categories.

Daniel Gafford has totaled 2.6 offensive rebounds per game when playing on the road this year, putting him in the 95th percentile -- one of the best in the league by this standard.

Jaylen Brown has attempted a mere 17.9 shots from the field per game this year, significantly less than his 20.1 rate last year. The matchup vs. the Mavericks is a hard one; they have allowed the 2nd-least points per game in the league to the opposition's starting SFs over the last 15 games (11.4). The Boston Celtics have played at the 2nd-least up-tempo tempo in the league over the last 25 games. The Boston Celtics will likely experience a decrease in plays today from sharing the court with the 2nd-slowest pace team in the league over the last 20 games (the Mavericks). The Boston Celtics rank as the 9th-worst offensive rebounding offense in the league over the last 15 games (offensive rebounds maintain possession, and a lack of them can therefore lead to fewer chances for scoring and assists).

P.J. Washington has successfully made 2.5 treys per game over the last 15 games, 0.6 more than he's made from three over the course of the year. P.J. Washington has tallied 38.2 minutes per game over the last 5 games while on the road, 7.3 more than he's tallied in all games this year on the road. In regard to three-point attempts, the 3rd-most aggressive team in the NBA when playing on the road this year has been the Mavericks. P.J. Washington has successfully made 3.0 free throws per game over the last 5 games on the road, 1.6 higher than he's put through the net overall this season without the home court advantage. This year when they are away from home, the opposition's starting PFs have attempted 3.9 foul shots per game (8th-highest in the league) against the Boston Celtics, finding it easy to get to the free-throw line.